Write a story that includes the phrase “I’m free!”

Posted in Dialogue on May 5, 2023

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✍️ 60 stories

“Free” by CC Watson

Submitted to Contest #197

First stop Aruba. On a muggy June Baltimore evening, my husband sat in our family room in front of our television, impassively watching his favorite science fiction programming. "Destination Aruba is canceled," he said mechanically, almost as robotic as the show he was viewing. "I love going yearly, but we can't afford to go this year." An eerie white noise filled the room, only to discover a programming disruption, perfect timing. I couldn't reply to his announcement since his words were muted by the pressures of life, sandwiched...

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“Compensation” by Stephanie STEVENS

Submitted to Contest #197

When the cage reached the bottom, the place reminded me of the darkest December night: thick cloud cover, no stars, no moon. Nothing to light your way except for a few flickering candles. I made out yellow canaries sitting in cages, tweeting, a welcome sound among the many I heard that day. Dada said, ‘If one keels over, you get out quick before the fire damp gets you. You’ll be a goner if you don’t, my son.’ So many sounds resounded and blended. They made my head buzz: t...

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“Maev and the Path Not Taken - Version 2” by Daniel Rosas

Submitted to Contest #197

“You have failed me Erylis,” growled King Corliss his deep rumbling voice echoed throughout the throne room. His golden eyes glowed hot with rage. “And now, you have brought dishonor on our name by appearing in my court as a humanoid,” said Corliss in a disapproving tone. “Father, if you would just let me explain! I...”, Erylis started but Corliss cut her off with a wave of his hand. “I have heard all I need to,” he said and motioned forward with his hand. From behind the fine-grained slate throne stepped a black dr...

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“The Wheel” by Syd Doyle

Submitted to Contest #197

I stared in the mirror, wearing my long, lacey, wedding gown at the last fitting. I asked the dressmaker for a few last-minute changes. I wanted a bigger bustle, something more dramatic and theatrical. I needed a veil that was at least 20 feet long, maybe something with feathers. I wanted more lace and ruffles. At that time, the look of my dress was the only thing I had control over. My parents were spending a lot of money to throw me their dream wedding to impress their friends. A month before everyone’s big day ...

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“The Nag” by Miriam Anderson

Submitted to Contest #197

I called him The Nag, because he was always there, in the darkest corners of my mind, ticking like a clock, watching, laughing, whispering in my ears.He first entered my life when I was five. It was the day I told my first lie. An innocent fib, I thought. I little deceit to cover up the real story behind the lost cookies. And then I heard it. A voice, small, quiet, but firm. Demanding. "Don't say anything. Keep the truth locked up. Keep quiet." That wasn't my last lie; it was the birth of years of deceit.When I was seven, I learned what the ...

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“Celestial.” by Skylar De La Cruz

Submitted to Contest #197

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Celestial. She always felt like there was something holding her back, like she was trapped in a cage. She dreamed of breaking free and living life on her own terms. One day, she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her dreams. She packed a bag and left her old life behind, not knowing what the future held. As she walked down the street, she felt a sense of excitement and fear. As she walked, she saw a sign that said "Circus Performers Wanted." Celestial had always been fascinated by the circus a...

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“Freedom” by Allen DeCowsky

Submitted to Contest #197

When I think about being free, I think about being free from bondage, oppression, and control. I think about people who insist that their freedom is more important than others. Let me tell you about a time my uncle and I escaped from a time of persecution and oppression. When I was twelve years old, my uncle and I were taken from our old home in Arkansas. We were taken and forced to work as slaves in a slave facility. This slave facility was beyond cruel and brutal. They took people that exhibited, what they called, "Special Mental Ca...

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“Trapped” by Josselin Cortez

Submitted to Contest #197

I sat beside her and looked at her as the wind blew her hair to the side. She had planned to have a picnic with me for a while, we both knew that things like this happen rarely because we both work very often. We were in a beautiful open space, on the grass surrounded by dandelions. As Lori takes one of them and blows at the round dandelions causing the seeds to fly all around the field. She smiles at me and returns her gaze back to the field and then to the beautiful clouds above us. She says, “Rick, we should take photographs of the...

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“Uncaged” by Jessica Lunn

Submitted to Contest #197

Note: This story contains notions of addiction and sexual violence For nearly 20 years I solemnly perched on my twig-like swing, day after changeless day, singing melancholy melodies. My feathered bodice, once vibrant, shiny, and tamed, turned lackluster and disheveled at best. Long ago, I was a young, adventurous, and naive little hatchling. Nothing struck me as dangerous or frightening until a concealed felon decided to take advantage of my innocent undisturbed life. Little did I know that moment in time would etch away at my internal be...

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“No Longer Between Worlds” by Brie Monetti

Submitted to Contest #197

It had been precisely 637 days since Norah Dunlap had set foot in a hospital. She had never intended to return to any hospital, especially not this one, for the rest of her life - however short that life was meant to be. And yet here she was, shivering from the slicing autumn breeze, the anxiety coursing through her blood like the distant echoes of chemo or a combination of the two. “Can I help you with something?” A voice thrummed somewhere in the ether, landing Norah back into her body. Norah inhaled, said a quick prayer to whate...

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“Theatrically Free” by Clare Horwood

Submitted to Contest #197

She delivered the last line of the play which declared her freedom from the tyrant of a husband that she had endured for many years. She took her final curtain call along with the rest of the cast. Rapturous applause greeted them. How she had loved performing here in Adelaide in South Australia at the wonderful Playhouse. Adelaide audiences loved their theatre, always being so enthusiastic in their response. Tonight was the closing night of their season here before moving on to Perth. She was pushed forward by the rest of the cast and receiv...

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“Depthless” by Marvin Reif

Submitted to Contest #197

Trigger warning: This story contains mental health problems and to some extent substance abuse. If you are uncomfortable then please skip this story. I am awake. I feel the sun burn on my forehead. The usual odour of exhaust fumes hangs in the air. I cough. Blood lands in my hand. Something is hanging at the end of my bed. What is it? I manage to sit up in bed. Ah, good, it is only some clothes. They aren’t mine, though. There is something odd about them. It’s women’s clothing. High Heels, a dress and a leather jacket. I have bigger feet ...

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“Solitarium” by Genoveva Baumann

Submitted to Contest #197

Breath hitched in his throat, making him choke on the stale cell’s air. How long had it been? Too long- He stared through the darkness, his eyes had adjusted to this dank place long ago, how long? He could never answer. He touched at his body, his bones protruded from his thinned frame and his bent spine pressed against his skin. He sat hunched on the cool, dank floor, waiting… for what? Alone he had sat in that cell, wondering if there was even a door anymore. The constant dripping of liquid from the ceiling, splashing against the cool ston...

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“A Letter From Elias” by Deirdre Stein

Submitted to Contest #197

A Letter from Elias.I still don’t know how it happened. In my most vivid dreams, I could never have imagined this, but it happened. One day I just wasn’t me. I changed.I was the guy that was always having fun. I had friends at school, home, and the ones I met at the gym where I trained. I wasn’t just ordinarily outgoing like the next guy; no, I was exceptionally outgoing. I was interested and involved with all of life’s offerings. I did things for the challenge and experience. I was a Columbia engineering student taking ballet just for the e...

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“The Red Light” by Cassandra Fan

Submitted to Contest #197

The red flashing light, Brendan knew it well. The one he should’ve listened to. Dangling in the corner of the sky as he rocketed forward. The moment replayed before him, repeating in slow-motion. The drops of rain, the headlights of cars cutting through the night, the shining blue eyes on her horrified face. And there it was again, that accursed light! Taunting him. Then the world faded into focus and he was no longer there. The light faded into a humming line on a monitor to his side, suddenly spiking to life. In an instant Brendan knew whe...

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Write a story that includes the phrase “I’m free!”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 60 stories

“Free” by CC Watson

“Compensation” by Stephanie STEVENS

“Maev and the Path Not Taken - Version 2” by Daniel Rosas

“The Wheel” by Syd Doyle

“The Nag” by Miriam Anderson

“Celestial.” by Skylar De La Cruz

“Freedom” by Allen DeCowsky

“Trapped” by Josselin Cortez

“Uncaged” by Jessica Lunn

“No Longer Between Worlds” by Brie Monetti

“Theatrically Free” by Clare Horwood

“Depthless” by Marvin Reif

“Solitarium” by Genoveva Baumann

“A Letter From Elias” by Deirdre Stein

“The Red Light” by Cassandra Fan

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about someone successfully — or unsuccessfully — escaping their fate.

Write about a god desperately trying to get their chosen hero to follow the path they set out for them.

Write about somebody who wholeheartedly believes in fate, and views every little thing through the lens of predestiny.

Set your story in a world where everyone’s decisions are made for them. One morning, your character wakes up, and chooses not to go to work. Wait…chooses?!

Contest #197

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

268

Contest entries

100

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: